Wakefield prepare to evacuate notice lifted Civil Defence Group Controller Roger Ball has lifted the conditional re-entry status for Wakefield. The decision was possible because of the work that had been done in fighting the fire and means people living and working in Wakefield are no longer subjec...

Public forum guidelines

There are some changes to the Public Forum guidelines for the Full Council meeting in the Richmond Council Chamber on Friday 30 November.

We ask that everyone planning to attend be aware of and follow these guidelines.

If you wish to speak in the public forum section of the meeting, please register your intention by 2.00 pm on Thursday 29 November. You can do this by emailing sandie.hutchinson@tasman.govt.nz, or phoning 543 8400.

A maximum of 30 minutes will be allocated specifically for those wishing to speak in opposition to the Waimea Community Dam project and a maximum of 30 minutes for those wishing to speak in favour. (The mayor is exercising his discretion under Standing Orders as chair of the meeting to allow an extended public forum.)

If the time is over-allocated, priority will be given to those who have not previously spoken in the public forum on the topic of the Waimea Community Dam.

Each speaker has a maximum of three minutes.

As the Waimea Community Dam is the only topic on the agenda for this meeting, speakers will be limited to the topic of the dam.

The usual limit on the number of people from a single organisation who may speak will apply – that is, no more than two speakers from any one organisation.

Normal practice for public forum is that speakers may have their say, but it is not a forum for councillors to question speakers. However, if there are matters of clarification the Mayor has the discretion to allow questions.

We can accommodate a maximum of 50 people in the Council Chamber. Priority will be given to those who register to speak in the public forum.

We can accommodate a limited number of 30 extra people at the back of the public foyer area next to the Chamber (fire escape access must be maintained).